Monopoly Journalism?

June 7, 1985

OTTAWA — Competition in the Canadian news industry is eroding and the government is doing nothing about it. The charge: From New Democrat communications critic David Orlikow. Catalyst: The January takeover of struggling United Press Canada by The Canadian Press news-gathering cooperative. ''We are seeing the adverse effects of that merger in terms of Parliament today, because of cutbacks in service by CP, something it would not have dared to do if United Press were still functioning,'' Orlikow said Wednesday. Sidelight: CP reporters have asked the government to investigate the UPC takeover.